The Family that Breathes Together! Dealing with headaches
Hey Aunt Carol: I am hoping to buy some MEO from you—something minty/menthol? Ideally it is something that I can inhale and put behind my ears to open things up or relieve a headache. I got some peppermint oil from the local pharmacy, but I know your blends are the best on the market. Can you provide some specific blend recommendations? I looked on your website and Be Alert looks like it might be a fit but I wanted to get your advice.
Greetings, Maryanna!
I would suggest Sinus Aid if you don't have high blood pressure—peppermint essential oil can exacerbate hypertension. If you do have hypertension, I would suggest Breathe Free, which does not have peppermint. Both blends are antibacterial and both assist breathing. However, Sinus Aid primarily targets sinus problems and accompanying headaches while Breathe Free primarily targets bronchial problems and secondarily affects sinuses. Be Alert has peppermint oil and has other essential oils that assist concentration. While it can be helpful with sinus problems/headache, Sinus Aid would be more effective.
To use Sinus Aid, place a drop in the palm of your hand and dip into it with a finger from the other hand. Apply to your temples and at the nape of your neck. You can also put a little behind the ears if you'd like. Rub palms of hands together, cup hands over nose and inhale for 3 minutes. Shortly after, or during, you should be clear as a bell and headache free! Note that you use VERY little and if there is any skin irritation or if the sensation on the skin is too strong, apply a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba, coconut—even olive oil out of the kitchen cabinet—can be used although it has a strong aroma of its own, but it will work. Also note that peppermint essential oil is much stronger and much more concentrated than the regular peppermint oil you would get at a pharmacy unless it says peppermint essential oil.
These blends all come in small 5 ml. bottles and are highly concentrated; only a drop or two needed. They also come in inhalers, which are handy if you don't want to smell like the blend you're using. To use the inhaler, open it by twisting it at the bottom of the tube, insert the tube into one nostril while closing off the other, inhale deeply 3 times; do the same on the other side. This is effective as well for opening things up and getting rid of headaches, especially when you're on the run. Another reason to consider using an inhaler is that peppermint essential oil right out of the bottle can cause dangerous choking reflexes on children 2 years old and younger, so if you’re going to be around a child of that age, an inhaler would be the safest way to access the peppermint oil.
Let me know if you have other questions. It was good hearing from you!